"Art Deco glamour, a rooftop terrace and prime dry-aged beef make San Diego's most theatrical steakhouse a born headline-maker."
The Kitchen
Born & Raised is the modern steakhouse that CH Projects (Consortium Holdings) opened in 2018 after a near-three-year, $6.5 million build. The cooking is classic chophouse rendered at scale and with serious sourcing: prime and dry-aged cuts, American and Japanese Wagyu, slow-roasted prime rib, and tableside service that leans theatrical — carts, carving, flambe.
The kitchen runs its own 40-square-foot dry-aging room, and steaks span from filets and porterhouses to wagyu flights, with cuts climbing from about $65 to $280 and beyond. Tableside Caesar and bananas Foster keep the showmanship coming between courses.
The Room
The 10,000-square-foot, 250-seat space is the real headline: a former 1930s drugstore reimagined as Mid-century-Modern-meets-Art-Deco by designer Paul Basile, with custom millwork built in-house, green Italian marble, a 45-seat cocktail bar and a coveted rooftop terrace. It has been recognised by the San Diego Architectural Foundation for that craftsmanship.
On the bustling corner of India and Fir in Little Italy, it is built for occasions — the kind of dining room where a birthday becomes an event and a proposal has a stage.
Why Born & Raised for a birthday
Few San Diego rooms do spectacle this well. The Art Deco interior, the rooftop terrace and the tableside theatre turn a birthday dinner into a production; book the rooftop in good weather and let the carving carts do their thing.
Why Born & Raised for a proposal
The glamour is the point. A rooftop table at golden hour, Champagne, a showpiece dining room and discreet, well-drilled service give a proposal exactly the sense of occasion it deserves.
Not For
Not for budget diners or those after a quiet, minimalist meal — this is a loud, lavish, big-ticket steakhouse where dry-aged cuts and the rooftop command a premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is behind Born & Raised?
Born & Raised was developed by CH Projects (Consortium Holdings) and opened in 2018 following a roughly $6.5 million, three-year build. Designer Paul Basile led the Art Deco interior.
What is Born & Raised known for?
Prime and dry-aged steaks, American and Japanese Wagyu, slow-roasted prime rib, and tableside theatre — Caesar salad, carving carts and flambeed desserts — in a 250-seat Art Deco dining room with a rooftop terrace.
How much does Born & Raised cost?
Steaks run from about $65 to $280 and beyond depending on cut and Wagyu grade, making it one of San Diego's premium-priced steakhouses; reservations are essential on weekends.
Does Born & Raised have a rooftop?
Yes. The rooftop terrace is one of its signature draws and a favourite for celebrations; request it when booking, especially in good weather.
Where is Born & Raised?
It is at 1909 India Street, on the corner of India and Fir in San Diego's Little Italy, inside a converted 1930s former drugstore.
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Practical Information
Address1909 India Street, San Diego, CA 92101
NeighbourhoodLittle Italy
CuisineModern Steakhouse
Price Range$$$$ · steaks $65–$280+
SignatureDry-aged steaks · tableside Wagyu
Opened2018 · CH Projects
Private DiningYes — rooftop room up to 80
ReservationsEssential on weekends
